Nick Foles hadn't played an NFL down before relieving Michael Vick on Sunday. / Howard Smith, US Presswire

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

PHILADELPHIA - Nick Foles practiced with the Philadelphia Eagles first-team offense Wednesday while Michael Vick remained home nursing post-concussion symptoms, including a headache and sensitivity to light.

So even though coach Andy Reid didn't yet rule out Vick for Sunday's game, rest assured Foles will make his NFL starting debut against the Washington Redskins.

Asked if he expects Vick to come back at some point this season, Reid hedged, saying, "Yeah, I think so. I've just got to see. I don't know that.

"He hasn't gone through any of the tests so far. So right now, he's just in that resting stage. ... He's hurting a little bit from the concussion.

"We've tried to keep him away from here, out of the light and resting. The headaches are subsiding just a bit so that's a good thing.''

Don't be surprised if Reid changes his pass-heavy way and protect the rookie gunslinger by running the ball at least 20 times with LeSean McCoy, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock told USA TODAY Sports.

"I understand throwing the footballis in Andy's DNA,'' said Mayock, a suburban Philadelphia native. "I've watched an awful lot of the Eagles games over the years.

"This year screams for a run-first attack because of the offensive line injuries they've suffered. ... You've got one of the best tailbacks in football is LeSean McCoy.

"The chance the Eagles have with Foles is to become a much more balanced, run-pass team with a heavy reliance on play-action, vertical shots to Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson.''

Foles, the former Arizona star, shattered all of Drew Brees' passing records at Austin's Westlake High School.

"I'm excited, I just need to play fast,'' Foles said. "I'm ready to go.

"The big thing is it's football, something I've played since I was a kid."

Talk about symmetry: On Nov. 14,1999, Donovan McNabb made his first start for the Eagles in a win against the Redskins; he replaced Doug Pederson, who is now Foles' quarterback coach.

Tight end Brent Celek's brother, Garrett, was Foles' roommate during their freshman season at Michigan State before Foles transferred to Arizona.

"He's got all the tools,'' Celek said. "He's calm, cool and can take charge. He can do everything.

"I love Nick. ... He's a good quarterback. We have to win behind him. ... Everyone needs to do their own jobs and play within the offense. Nick will do his and we'll be fine.''

Teammates call Foles "Shaggy'' fo rhis resemblance to the "Scooby Doo'' character Shaggy Rogers with his long brown hair.

"Shaggy is a pretty composed guy,''defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said of Foles. "He has a really bright future.''

Foles had an up-and-down debut in relief of Vick, who was concussed in the second quarter of a 38-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

He showed good field vision and slipped a blitz on his 44-yard touchdown strike to Jeremy Maclin. But Foles also threw late across the middle on a slant to DeSean Jackson that Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr intercepted and returned for a touchdown before Foles fumbled at the goal line resulting in a second Dallas score.

"You can't turn the ball over in this league,'' Foles said. "I have to play fast and not be afraid to make mistakes. If I do, keep firing.''

Reid and his players praised Foles afterward for showing poise without the benefit of taking any practice repetitions since the preseason.

Asked what he expects from the 6-6, 243-pound strong-armed passer, Reid said, "I have a lot of confidence in him. That's why we brought him here.''

Reid drafted Foles in the third round, 88th overall.

"Andy Reid as much as he's been criticized, he's a very wise man to draft Foles,'' said ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden. "Foles has got prototype NFL size. He can really throw the ball. And he's as tough as they come.

"He got rocked at times at Arizona, kept getting up and throwing strikes.

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